Motherwell kick off Season with Bounce game Win

By Chris Miller
July 15 2003

Motherwell began their season well with a 2-1 Victory over Local Rivals Airdrie. James McFadden didnt play and some others looked Rusty but the victory was probably deserved in the end.

Motherwell Lined up infront of a crowd of Around 350 in a match which was supposedly a "Closed Doors" affair, at their new training ground at Dalziel Park. The pitch was in awesome condition and looked and probably played like a bowling green. Motherwell Played in their New all Black training kit while Airdrie lined up in all red. James McFadden missed out on the lineup and was one of the spectators on the warm evening, but nevertheless a strong XI took to the feild.
Motherwells Starting Lineup was: Marshall, Corrigan, Hammell, Partridge, Craigan, Leitch, Pearson, Wright, McDonald, Scott and Craig.
I must confess I missed the first 15-20 minutes as I was told it was kicking off at 7:30, but from what I saw it was Motherwell who were the better side in the first half, especially down the right, with Airdrie only having one or two half chances to score.

In the Second Half we changed out entire 11, whereas Airdrie Utd kept most of theirs intact. Andy Reid, David Clarkson, Derek Adams, Paul Quinn and William Kinniburgh among the subs. Despite Motherwell being on balance the better side, Airdrie were gifted a chance which was spurned after a poor pass by Adams. Minutes later and some clever play down the right saw the young defence undone and the ball bundled past Reid at his near post. This Spurred 'Well into action, with Fagan working well down the left hand side to practically make a tap in for Adams. With this Motherwells Dominance Returned and a beautiful curler from outside the box by Derek Adams had the game won in the closing stages with a goal worthy of winning any match, or so Im told.

All in all it was a decent performance by Motherwell, some of the lads, such as Craigan looking a bit Rusty but nevertheless a good enought performance to give us hope of triumphing over or next opponents, Hamilton by the odd goal or six, when we meet on Saturday.